JoJo's Bizarre Adventure isn't a single story, but eight independent parts following different generations of the Joestar family, each with its own protagonist, tone and even narrative genre. That structure is exactly why so many "what order to watch JoJo" searches end in confusion. With Steel Ball Run premiering on Netflix on March 19, 2026, millions of new viewers are discovering the saga from scratch, so this guide settles the correct order once and for all and explains why there are, in fact, two separate universes.
Created by Hirohiko Araki and serialized since 1987 in Weekly Shonen Jump, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is one of manga's most influential and imitated works: it introduced the concept of the "Stand" (a visible manifestation of fighting spirit) later copied by series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Bleach, and it's as often cited for its storytelling as for its extravagant-pose aesthetic and soundtrack packed with Western musical references.
Recommended JoJo's Bizarre Adventure watch order (full table)
The franchise splits into two narrative blocks: Parts 1-6 (a continuous story about the Joestar family and their feud with Dio Brando) and Parts 7-9, set in an alternate universe with the same surnames but a different story. This table summarizes the seven parts adapted to anime as of 2026.
| # | Part | Protagonist | Anime year | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phantom Blood | Jonathan Joestar | 2012 | 9 |
| 2 | Battle Tendency | Joseph Joestar | 2012-2013 | 17 |
| 3 | Stardust Crusaders | Jotaro Kujo | 2014-2015 | 48 |
| 4 | Diamond is Unbreakable | Josuke Higashikata | 2016 | 39 |
| 5 | Golden Wind (Vento Aureo) | Giorno Giovanna | 2018-2019 | 39 |
| 6 | Stone Ocean | Jolyne Cujoh | 2021-2022 (Netflix) | 38 across 3 batches |
| 7 | Steel Ball Run | Johnny Joestar | From March 2026 (Netflix) | 1st batch + 2nd batch fall 2026 |
JoJo's two universes: why the order matters less than it seems
Parts 1 through 6 form a continuous story: the characters age, reference each other across parts and share a common enemy across generations, Dio Brando. Stone Ocean closes that arc for good. Parts 7, 8 and 9 (Steel Ball Run, JoJolion and The JOJOlands), by contrast, unfold in an alternate universe: they share surnames and some mythology with the original, but form a separate timeline with its own story starting from zero. This means you can jump straight into Steel Ball Run without having seen anything before and understand everything perfectly, something many outlets explicitly recommend to viewers arriving in 2026 thanks to Netflix.
Part 1: Phantom Blood (2012) and Part 2: Battle Tendency (2012-2013)
The first two parts aired together in a single 26-episode season simply titled JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012-2013). Phantom Blood introduces Jonathan Joestar, a young Victorian aristocrat, and his adopted brother Dio Brando, whose rivalry becomes the origin of the saga's entire conflict. Battle Tendency jumps a generation to Joseph Joestar, Jonathan's grandson, facing the Pillar Men, an almost indestructible ancient race, while the manga fully develops Hamon (the solar energy the protagonists use before Stands arrive). It's 26 episodes with more modest animation than the rest of the saga, but essential to understanding where the Joestar name comes from and why Dio is the villain who drives the whole franchise.
Part 3: Stardust Crusaders (2014-2015): the most popular entry point
For most Western fans, Stardust Crusaders is the true starting point of JoJo. Jotaro Kujo, Joseph's grandson, travels from Japan to Egypt with a group of allies to defeat Dio, who has returned after 100 years. This is where Stands first appear, manifestations of spiritual energy with their own form and powers that become the core system for the rest of the saga. It aired in two 24-episode batches (2014 and 2015, the latter subtitled "Egypt Arc"), 48 episodes total, packed with the absurd humor and extravagant poses that made the franchise go viral online.
Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable (2016): mystery in a Japanese town
At 39 episodes, this part shifts tone radically: Josuke Higashikata, Jotaro's half-brother, investigates a series of murders alongside his friends in the quiet fictional town of Morioh. It functions almost like a standalone series within the saga, with a weekly-mystery structure and less direct connection to the Dio plotline, making it one of the most accessible parts for anyone who prefers mystery over pure action.
Part 5: Golden Wind / Vento Aureo (2018-2019): the Italian mafia
Set in Naples, Venice and Rome, this 39-episode part follows Giorno Giovanna, Dio's secret son, rising within the Passione mafia organization with the goal of turning it into something better from the inside. It's the part with the most acclaimed soundtrack and art direction in the whole franchise, and many critics point to it as the saga's best entry in terms of pacing and narrative closure.
Part 6: Stone Ocean (2021-2022): closing the original saga
Released exclusively on Netflix in three batches (December 2021, September 2022 and December 2022, 38 episodes total), Stone Ocean follows Jolyne Cujoh, Jotaro's daughter, wrongfully imprisoned and caught up in a conspiracy tied to Dio's past. It definitively closes the continuity of Parts 1 through 6, with nods to every previous protagonist.
Part 7: Steel Ball Run (Netflix, from March 2026): the new entry point
On March 19, 2026, Netflix premiered the Steel Ball Run adaptation, considered by many veteran fans the best part of the entire manga. Set in the United States in 1890, it follows Johnny Joestar, a former jockey who lost the use of his legs, and Gyro Zeppeli, an outsider with a unique fighting technique, as they compete in a transcontinental horse race with a 50-million-dollar prize. Taking place in the alternate universe of Parts 7-9, it requires no prior parts. The first batch is already available, and the 2nd Stage premieres in fall 2026, with weekly episodes on Fridays.
What about Parts 8 and 9? JoJolion and The JOJOlands
JoJolion (Part 8) and The JOJOlands (Part 9, currently ongoing) continue the alternate universe opened by Steel Ball Run. Neither has a confirmed anime adaptation as of 2026: for now they can only be followed in manga form.
Common mistakes when watching JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
- Dropping Phantom Blood because of the older animation: it's only 9 episodes and lays the groundwork for everything that follows. It doesn't represent the production quality of the rest of the saga.
- Starting with Steel Ball Run thinking you need Parts 1-6 first: you don't, it's an independent alternate universe.
- Mistaking Stone Ocean for the end of the whole franchise: it closes Parts 1-6, but the saga continues in the alternate universe (7-9).
- Watching the parts out of order looking for "the best first": since they're successive family generations, watching out of order spoils reveals about the Joestar lineage and cross-references to Dio Brando.
Where to legally watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Parts 1 through 5 (Phantom Blood to Golden Wind) are available on Crunchyroll. Stone Ocean and the new Steel Ball Run are Netflix exclusives. The anime streaming catalog changes fairly often, so always check current availability on an aggregator like JustWatch before subscribing specifically to watch the saga. If you'd rather own it physically, Blu-ray editions exist for several parts.
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Official Steel Ball Run trailer
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Frequently asked questions about JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
What order should I watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in?
In part order, from 1 to 7: Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency, Stardust Crusaders, Diamond is Unbreakable, Golden Wind, Stone Ocean and Steel Ball Run. It's a simple order because, unlike other franchises, there are no recap movies or OVAs to slot in: each part is a complete, self-contained season.
Can I skip Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency and start directly with Stardust Crusaders?
You can, and many people do, because Stardust Crusaders (with the Stands) is where the franchise becomes massively popular. But you'll miss Dio Brando's origin, the reason Jotaro has that surname, and several Joestar family references that recur throughout the saga. If you're short on time, at least watch a Phantom Blood recap before Stardust Crusaders.
What are Stands, and when do they appear?
Stands are visible manifestations of a character's fighting spirit, each with its own form and powers. They first appear in Part 3, Stardust Crusaders (1987 in the manga, 2014 in the anime), and become the core power system for every part that follows.
Do I need to watch Parts 1-6 before Steel Ball Run?
No. Steel Ball Run (Part 7) takes place in an alternate universe separate from Parts 1-6: it shares surnames and some mythology, but it's a new story that's perfectly understandable without having seen anything before. It's actually the entry point many veteran fans recommend for anyone who just wants to try the saga in 2026.
Where can I legally watch JoJo's Bizarre Adventure in 2026?
Parts 1 through 5 (Phantom Blood to Golden Wind) are on Crunchyroll. Stone Ocean (Part 6) and the new Steel Ball Run (Part 7) are Netflix exclusives. Always check current availability on an aggregator like JustWatch, since anime streaming catalogs change platforms fairly often.
When does the second batch of Steel Ball Run premiere?
The first batch (1st Stage) premiered on Netflix on March 19, 2026. The continuation (2nd Stage) is announced for fall 2026, with weekly episodes on Fridays. If the start hooked you, there's still more saga coming this year.
Is it necessary to watch Stone Ocean before Steel Ball Run?
No, they're independent stories. Stone Ocean closes the continuity of Jotaro, Jolyne and the rest of the original Joestar family (Parts 1-6). Steel Ball Run begins an alternate timeline with new protagonists, Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli, in 1890. You can watch Steel Ball Run without having touched any previous part.
Which part is most recommended if I only want to try one?
Stardust Crusaders if you want the classic experience with Stands and the absurd humor that made the saga famous in the West, or Steel Ball Run if you'd rather start with the most recent and accessible entry without carrying six previous parts.
What's the relationship between Parts 1-6 and JoJolion (Part 8)?
JoJolion (Part 8) and The JOJOLands (Part 9) directly continue the alternate universe opened by Steel Ball Run. Neither has a confirmed anime adaptation as of 2026: for now they only exist in manga form.